Universal bar



J. H. BARR UNIVERSAL BAR Sept. 18, 1928.

Filed Dec. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. .forz .6. Barr ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 18, 1928.

J. H. BARR UNIVERSAL BAR Filed Dec. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jofi n H560"?- BYJ? A TTORNEYS Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

JOHN H. BARR, OF ITHACA. NEXV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BARR-MORSE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

UNIVERSAL BAR.

Application filed December 5, 1925.

This invention relates to typewriting machines, and more particularly to a universal bar construction which is operated by the type bars during their movements into printing position. The various type bars are commonly arranged in a row along their support, and diffieulty has been experienced in obtaining uniform operation of a universal bar from such a long row of type bars. The long universal bar has heretofore flexed to different extents when operated by different type bars, the extent of flexing depending upon the particular point along the universal bar where the moving force from the type bar was applied. Consequently, all of the type bars did not produce equal movements of the universal bar. In the portable type of typewriting machine it is essential that the universal bar construction be as compact as possible so as to project a minimum distance from the rear face of the segment in order to permit of a closer positioning of the other parts of the machine. It is also important that a suflicient space he left along the rear face of the segment for the ribbon vibrating mechanism.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved universal bar construction which will receive and transmit movement from any desired number of type bars without material flexing; which will have equal movements at every point regardless of where thereon the moving force is applied; with which the bar will be freely movable with little resistance; with which the distance through which the moving force must act to move the bar through the desired extent, will be equal along the entire length of the bar; and which will be relatively simple, durable, compact and relatively inexpensive.

A further object is to provide an in'iproved universal bar construction which will project to a minimum extent from the rear face of the segment; which will occupy a minimum of space which will not occupy the space in the central part of the segment desired for the ribbon vibrating mechanism: and which will accomplish each and all of the above objects.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, and the novel features will be particularlv pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

Serial No. 73,338.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a typewriting machine, having a universal bar construction in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the segment of the same and illustrating the universal bar construction in elevation thereon;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation, ona somewhat larger scale, of a portion of the segment and universal bar, portions of the bar and segment being broken away to better show their details and relationship and Fig. lis a detailed elevation of the particular preferred connection between the uni versal bar levers.

In the illustrating embodiment of the in vention, the typewriting mechanism is of the type having a case shift in which a type bar support or segment 1 is provided with a i'earwardly and downwardly extendiin bracket 2 by means of which it is guided 1?. the machine frame 3. Arms 4, oscillatin upon pivots G, are connected to the bracket and segment 1 by pivots 5 and give the se ment a limited movement in the direction t its plane which is substantially a motion of translation almost entirely within its plane. The upper arms 1 maybe connected by a cross piece l so that in effect they form a fork. An extension 7 of the frame 3 may engage in a slot 8 of the bracket 2 to limit the movements of the segment 1.

The segment 1 is provided with a pluralitv of radially disposed slots 9 in which a phirality of type bars 10 are pivotally mounted. such as upon a common pivot wire 11 which extends arcuately of the segment and passes through all of the slots 9. The type bars are separately movable in radial planes into posi tions for printing upon a common area or llPOIl the relatively movable platen, the print ing position of a type bar shown in full lines in Fig. 1 being shown in dash lines in the same figure. Any suitable linkage or mechanism 12 may be provided for operating each type bar into printing position.

A bar or strip 13, arcnate in shape. is disposed cdgcwise in a groove 14 whichis provided in the rear face of the segment 1 along the slotted arcuate edge portion thereof, so that the strip or bar 13 will be engaged and operated edgewise, that is rearwardly, by the heel 15 of each type bar when the type bar ill) lOEi

llli

moves into printing position as shown in dash lines in Fig. 1.

The ends of the strip or bar 13 have portions bent or turned toward one another to provide tongues or ears 16 which extend in the direction of a chord of the arc of the strip or bar 13. The bar or strip 13 is also provided at points intermediate of its ends with rearwardly extending tongues 17 having flanges or ears 18 extending approximately parallel to one another and in a direction angularly to the ears or tongues 16. Brackets 19 may be secured to the rear face of the case segment 1 in a suitable manner, such as by screws 20, and the ends of the brackets have outstanding ears 21 which extend parallel to the ears or tongues 16 and 18 respectively.

Levers 22 are pivotally connected by pins 23 to the ears 16, so as to extend toward one another in the direction of a chord of the .arc of the strip 13. The levers 22 intermediate their ends are pivoted upon pins 24 carried by the ears 21. Additional levers 25 are pivotally connected by pins 26 to the ears 18, and intermediate their ends are pivotaily mount ed on pins 27 carried by ears 21. The levers 25 extend angularly to the levers 22, and the free end of each lever 25 extends into proximity to the free end of a lever 22.

The free ends of the levers 22 and 25 which are in proximity to one another, are preter ably bent angularly so as to extend substantialiy parallel to one another as shown clearly in Fig. 2, one of the parallel ends carrying a pin 28 which extends through an aperture 29 in the other parallel end (see Fig. i). The aperture 29 is preferably countersunk from each face so that the aperture wall will be somewhat sharp like a knife blade, permitting considerable universal rocking motion of the pin 28 therein without any looseness or lost motion. The pin 28 may be anchored in the lever which carries it, in any suitable manner such as by having a reduced end received in an aperture of the lever and riveted therein, as shown in Fig. 4.

The levers 25 are provided with rearwardly extending ears or flanges 30 which are connected by one or more cross bars 31, so that the two levers 25 will be so interconnected as to oscillate as a unit. The bar 31 has two tongues at each end which enter and are riveted into apertures in the levers 25, and preterably connects the levers 25 at some distance from their pivotal connection to the ears 18. The two levers 25 thus connected are, in effect, but a single lever so far as their motion is concerned and could be replaced by a single lever except for the fact that a central area on the rear face of the segment is desired for the ribbon vibrating mechanism. By having the two levers 25, as illustrated, they will be disposed somewhat to the sides of the segment 1 and the ribbon vibrating mechanism may be interposed between them in the central area and thus all of these parts will be positioned closely to the rear face of the segment 1, enabling a more compact assembly of all of the typewriting mechanism.

The bracket 2 is provided upon the face toward the case segment 1 with a recess directly opposite the strip 13 (see Figs. 1 and 3), and a helical compression spring 33, received and supported within the recess 32,

resists movement of the bar or strip 13 out of the groove 14 of the case segment. An adjusting screw 34 is threaded into the bracket 2 at the end of the socket or recess 32 which it closes and serves as an abutment for the inner end of the helical spring 33. By threading the screw 3d into the bracket 2 to various extents the pressure of the helical spring 33 which resists the movement of the universal bar may be Varied to a considerable extent.

In the operation of such a universal bar construction, the assembly is made in the manner illustrated and described. \Vhen a type bar is operated, it will be oscillated upon a pivot pin or wire 11 carried by the case segment, and in its travel to printing position against the platen A, its heel 15 will engage with the strip 13 and cam it outwardly against the action of the compression spring 33. As the strip or bar 13 moves outwardly, the levers 22 and 25 will be rocked upon their pivots 21 and 27 respectively, and during such rocking, the pins 28 will rock in the apertures 29 where the levers 22 are connected to the levers 25 at their free ends.

This interconnection between the various parts of the strip or bar 13 insures equal movement of every part of the strip or bar 13 regardless of at what point of the strip or bar 13 the moving force is applied. Thus a type bar at the end of the segment will operate against the bar 13 at one end thereof, and unless the ends of the bar were interconnected to one another and to the central part of the strip or bar, considerable tilting, flexing or distortion of the central partor" the bar would occur and all parts of the'bar would never have equal movement. With this construction. however, the different portions of the bar 13 are so interconnected through the levers 22 and 25 that every part necessarily partakes of the same movement as every other part, and this is true regardless of where the moving force, which is a type bar, acts thereon. The spring 33 resists the movement of the bar or strip 13 and returns it to its normal position when the type bar on its return to its normal non-printing position releases strip 13. The universal bar construction is connected in any suitable or usual manner (not shown) to the carriage escapement or other mechanism which it controls or operates in av well known manner.

The universal bar device is carried entirely by the segment and the supporting bracket 2 thereof, so that as the segment moves into diti'erent case printing positions, the universal bar device will move therewith and retain its same relative relation thereto. Such a universal bar construction is simple, effective, durable, relatively inexpensive, and in practice has been found to be very satisfactory.

It Will be understood that various changes in the details, Which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention. may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a typewriting machine, a. type bar segment, a plurality of type bars mounted thereon, each type bar having a heel movable through a face of the segment when said type bar moves into printing position, a universal bar extending arcuately along the face of the segment through which the type bar heels project When in printing position, straight levers pivoted to the end and intermediate portions of said arcuate bar and also pivoted to said segment, said levers being directly coupled to one another for concomi' tant oscillation, whereby pr ssure of the heels of any of said type bars upon various parts of said arcuate bar will causeequal movements of all parts of the latter.

2. In a typewriting machine, a type bar segment having substantially radial slots along its arcuate Wall for mounting a plnrality ottype bars,an arcuate bar extending along said slots so as-to-be engageable and movable'by the heel of any type bar which has been moved into printing position, and substantially straight levers connected to the end'and intermediate portions of said arcuate bar and pivoted to'said segment, said levers being directly interconnected with one another independently of 'the arcnate 'bar. whereby all of the type bars will produce equal movements of every part of the arcuate bar regardless of where the type bar strikes the arcuate bar.

3. In a typewriting machine. a segment, a plurality of type bars mounted on said segment in positions radially ot' the segment, a bar extending arcuately along the group of radially arranged type bars so as to be (an gaged and operated by any type bar which moves into printing position, a plurality of levers pivoted to the end and intermediate portions of said arcuate bar, said pivotal connections being at the ends of the levers, means for pivotally supporting said levers upon said segment at points intermediate the ends of the levers, the free ends of the levers that are connected to the end portions of'the arcuate bar being interconnected with the free ends'ot' the levers that are connected to the intermediateportions of the bar, Whereby said arcuate bar Will always move through equal distances at every point of its length when struck by any type bar.

4. In a typewriting machine, a segment, a plurality of type bars mounted on said segment in position radially ot' the segment,a bar extending arcuately along the group of radially arranged type bars so as to be engaged and operated by any type bar Which moves into printing position, a plurality of levers pivoted to the end and intermediate portions of said arcuate bar, said pivotal connections being at the ends of the levers, means for pivotally supporting said levers, upon said segment at points intermediate the ends of the levers, the free ends of the levers that are connected to the end portions of the arcuate bar being interconnected to the free ends of the levers that are connected to the intermediate portions of the bar, said levers that are connected to the intermediate portions oi the arcuate bar being also intercon nected with one another, whereby said arcu ate bar will always move through equal distances at every point of its length when struck by any type bar.

5. In a typewriting machine, a segment, a plurality of type bars arranged radially ot' the segment and pivotally mounted thereon for movement into printing positions, an arcuate bar arranged along the radially arranged type bars so as to be engaged and operated by any type bar moving into printing position, levers pivoted to the ends of the arcuate bar, means carried by said segment and pivotally connected to said levers intermediate their ends, and another lever connected directly to the free ends of both of said levers and also to a portion of the arcuate bar intermediate of its ends, whereby said arcuate bar will move through equal distances at every point of its length when struck by any type bar.

'6. In a typewriting machine, a segment, a plurality of type bars arranged radially thereto so as to move into printing positions, an arcuate bar extending along the radially arranged type bars so as to be engaged and operated 1' any type bar moving into printing position, levers pivotally connected to the end portions of the arcuate bar, pivotally mounted intermediate their ends upon the case segment, and extending toward one another in the direction of a chord of the are of the bar, additional levers pivotally connected to said arcuate bar at points intermediate of its ends, pivotally mounted interme diate their ends upon the segment, and having their free ends extending into proximity to the free ends of the adjacent first mentioned levers, the adjacent free ends of said levers being rockably connected together, whereby said arcuated bar will move through equal distances at every point of its length when struck by any type bar.

liltl Till 7. In a typewriting machine, a segment, a plurality of type bars arranged radially thereof so as to move into printing positions, an arcuate bar extending along the radially arranged type bars so as to be engaged and operated by any type bar moving into printing position, levers pivotally connected to the end portions of the arcuate bar, pivota ly mounted intermediate their ends upon the case segment, and extending toward one another in the direction of a chord of the arc of the bar, additional levers connected to said arcuate bar at points interu'iediate of its ends, pi votally mounted intermediate ot their ends upon the segment, and having their tree ends extending into proximity to the free ends of the adjacent first mentioned levers, the adjacent free ends of said levers being rockably connected together,said levers which are connected to the intermediate portion of the arcuate bar being also directly connected to one an other at a point distant from their connection to the arcuate bar, whereby said arcuate bar will move through equal distances every point of its length when struck by any type bar.

8. In a tyymwriting machine, a type bar segment, a plurality of type bars arranged radially around the segment for movement individually into printing positions, an arcuate bar extending along the segment in a posi tion substantially concentric with the arcuately arranged type bars and in position to be engaged and operated by any type bar moving into printing position, levers connected to the end portions of said arcuate bar and pivotally connected intermediate their ends to said segment, additional levers connected to said arcuate bar at points intermediate its ends, extending angularly to said first mentioned levers, and pivotally connected intern'iediate their ends to said segment, the adjacent free ends of the additional and first mentioned levers being extended in directions substantially parallel and in proximity to one another, and a pin carried by the free end of one of said levers and having a rockable pivotal engagement with the adjacent tree end of the other lever, whereby said arcuate bar will move through equal distances at every point of its length when struck by any type bar.

9. In a typewriting machine, a type bar segment, a plurality of type bars arranged radiallv around the segment for movement individually into printing positions, an armate bar extending along the segment in a position substantially concentric with the arcuately arranged type bars and in position to be engaged and operated by any type bar moving into printing position, levers connected to the end portions of said areuate bar and pivotally connected iutern'iediate their ends to said segment, additional levers connected to said arcuate bar at points intermediate the ends thereof, extending angularly to said first mentioned levers, and pivotally connected in termediate their ends to said segment, the free ends of the additional and first mentioned levers being extended in directions substantially parallel and in proximity to one another, and a pin carried by the free end of one of said levers and having a rockable pivotal engagement with the adjacent free end of the other lever, said additional levers ht ing substantially parallel with one another, and a bar connecting said levers at a point distant from their ends which are connected to the arcuate bar, whereby said arcuate bar will move through equal distances at every point o if its length when struck by any type bar.

10. In a typewriting machine, a type bar se -merit, a plurality of type bars arranged radially thereto along the arcuate edge and pivotally connected thereto for movement into printing positions, an arcuate strip extending along said radially arranged type bars in a position to be engaged and operated by various type bars when moving to printing position, said strip having end portions turned toward one another in the direction of a chord of the are of the strip, levers pivoted at their ends to the end portions of said strip, extending toward one another, and pivotally connected intermediate their ends to said segment, said strip intermediate of its ends having tongues extending toward and angularly to said levers, additional levers pivotally connected to said tongues and extending angularly to the first mentioned levers, with their free ends adjacent to a free end of one of the first mentioned levers, the adjacent free ends of said levers being connected by a rockingpivot connection, and means for interconnecting said additional levers for concomitant oscillation, whereby said arcuate strip will move through equal distances at every point of its length when struck by any type bar.

11. In a typewriting machine, a support, a plurality of type bars arranged on said support for movement individually into printing positions, a bar extending along said type bars as to be engaged and operated in a direction transversely of itself by the movement of any type bar into printing position, and means including a plurality of levers connected to the end and intermediate portions of said bar, and pivotally connected to said support, for insuring equal movements of said bar regardless of which type bar is operating thereon during a printing stroke, the axes of the pivotal connections between the support and the levers that are connected to the end portions of the bar being non-parallel with the pivotal axis of an intermediate lever.

12. In a typewriting machine, a type bar support, a plurality of type bars arranged along the same and connected thereto for movement into printing position, a bar extending along said support in a position to be engaged and operated by any bar moving toward printing position, a plurality of substantially straight levers arrai'iged substantially parallel to and adjacent the support and connected to one another and to at least three spaced points of said bar for insuring equal movements of all points of said bar independently of which type bar causes operation thereof.

13. In a typewriting machine, a type bar support, a plurality of type bars arranged along the same and connected thereto for movement into printing position, a bar extending along said support in a position to be engaged and operated by any bar moving toward printing position, means connecting spaced points of said bar for insuring equal movements of all points of said bar ind pendently of which type bar causes operation thereof, said support having a socket extending toward said bar in a direction oppos-a'te, to its movement under the inliuence o t a type bar, and a compression spring received and supported in said socket and resisting movement of said bar during the travel ot a type bar into printing position.

14. In a typewriting machine, a support, a plurality of type bars arranged on said support for movement individually into printing positions, a bar extending along said type bars so as to be engaged and operated in a direction transversely of itself by the movement of any type bar into printing position, and motion transmitting devices including a plurality of substantially straight levers of the first order all located substantially paral- 101 to and in close proximity to the support, and interconnected between different parts of said bar for insuring equal movements of said bar regardless of which type bar is opcrating thereon during the printing stroke.

15. In a typewriting machine, a type bar support, a plurality of type bars arranged along said support for movement individually into printing position, a bar extending along said type bars so as to be engaged and operated in a direction transversely of itself by the movement of any type bar into printing position, levers connected to the end portions of said ba and pivotally connected to said support, a third lever connected at one end to spaced intermediate points of said bar. pivoted intermediate of its ends, and forked at its other end to straddle and expose a central section of said support, in which central section other mechanism may be arranged, the ends of the fork arms being directly connected to the first mentioned levers, whereby said bar will be given equal movements by every type bar operating thereon during a printing stroke regardless oi the point oi the bar against which any type bar acts.

it). In a typewriting machine, a support. a plurality oi type bi arranged on said support for movement individually into printing positions. a bar extending along said type bars so as to be engaged and operated in a direction transversely of itself by the movement of any type bar into printing position, and motion transmitting devices including a plurality oi substantially straight le 'ers all located substantially parallel to and in close proxin'iity to the support, and connected between the ends and an intermediate portion of said bar and to one another for insuring equal movements of said bar regardless of which type bar is operating thereon during the printing stroke.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

JOHN H. BARR. 

